Launch of new Crimestoppers campaign

Debbie Clarke

Crimestoppers Scotland has launched a new campaign to urge members of the public to contact the charity anonymously about crime in local communities.

The ‘It’s YOUR call’ campaign highlights the difference a call to Crimestoppers can make to people living in areas where crime can be a problem and the charity is taking this message to Scotland’s streets.

A digital advan with a 13ft digital screen will tour Glasgow and Edinburgh including: Govanhill, Possil and Gorbals in Glasgow and Craigmillar in Edinburgh, and 30 street telephone boxes have been branded with the Crimestoppers call to action.

Contacting Crimestoppers really does make a difference.

In 2014/15 Crimestoppers Scotland passed on over 10,000 public calls to Police Scotland and other authorities. This meant: 367 criminals were arrested and charged – 35 guns, knives and ammunition were removed and £223,000 worth of drugs were seized.

Angela Parker, national manager for Crimestoppers in Scotland, said: “For various reasons, people may not want to speak to the police or law enforcement, so independent charity Crimestoppers can pass on information to

protect callers’ identities. Our message to Scotland’s communities is that you can do something about it, you can prevent crime, so let’s make your area, safer together.”

Michael Matheson MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Justice, said: “Scotland is getting safer with recorded crime in Scotland down five per cent in 2014-15 to the lowest level in 41 years. My vision is of a flourishing, optimistic Scotland in which resilient communities, families and individuals live safe from crime, disorder, danger and harm.

“For that to happen we need to spread the message that if you see or suspect a crime being carried out, pick up the phone – don’t ignore it or hope someone else reports it. Whether it is someone breaking into a house or someone being attacked, we all have a responsibility to report that crime.”

He continued: “Crimestoppers play an important role by helping people do just that. By contacting Crimestoppers individuals help prevent, detect and solve crime. The Scottish Government is committed to tackling crime in Scotland by working with a range of partners, including Crimestoppers, to make Scotland’s streets safer.”